Novak Djokovic said he had to face up to his “new reality” after another opening-match loss, this time to world No. 44 Matteo Arnaldi at the Madrid Open. “Trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament,” Djokovic said in a news conference Saturday of his expectations going into events in 2025.

Novak Djokovic will not be playing in the Rome Open (Italian Open also known as Internazionali BNL d'Italia) between 7-18 May, 2025 with the former World No.1 seemingly only playing Roland Garros now on his clay court quest.

Novak Djokovic cupped his ear to demand more applause from the crowd after the 24-time major winner chased down an apparently lost ball and won an improbable point.Instead of sparking a comeback, it turned out to be Djokovic's last gasp as he fell in straight sets to Matteo Arnaldi in his first match of the Madrid Open on Saturday.